Mika Koivuniemi Wins Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open
For First PBA50 Tour Title
The winner of three majors on the PBA Tour, Koivuniemi defeats Brian Kretzer 259-237
in title match for first PBA50 Tour major title
LAS VEGAS (June 15, 2018) – Known as Major Mika during a 16-year career on the PBA Tour, 14-time PBA Tour winner Mika Koivuniemi lived up to that nickname by winning the Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open presented by Storm Friday for his first title on PBA’s tour for players 50 and over.
The 51-year-old native of Finland, who was top qualifier for the stepladder finals, reeled off the first six strikes in a 259-237 win over Brian Kretzer of Dayton, Ohio, in the title match at the Suncoast Bowling Center to win the season’s third PBA50 Tour major.
“We may be getting older but winning never gets old,” said Koivuniemi, who won three majors during his PBA Tour career. “There’s a lot of great bowlers out here and many of them are bowlers who I bowled against on the PBA Tour so the competition is still tough.”
With the first six strikes in the title match, Koivuniemi was able to build a lead that was just too much for Kretzer to overcome.
“I really felt good mentally and couldn’t have thrown the ball better considering I don’t bowl as much as I used to,” said Koivuniemi. “I used a ball that I felt good about but it’s one that I either throw a lot of strikes with or throw a lot of splits. Fortunately, it was strikes today.
“My attitude has always been to focus on what I can do to win,” he added. “Even though Brian was bowling well it didn’t have any effect on what I needed to do going into the (title) match.”
Koivuniemi, who has been retired from the PBA Tour for three years, isn’t able to bowl as much because he is the full-time head coach for the United Arab Emirates national bowling team.
“I’m fortunate that I’m still able to get time off to bowl these tournaments,” Koivuniemi said of competing in the Senior U.S. Open and USBC Senior Masters. “I believe I can win these tournaments so that’s why I make the trip.”
Koivuniemi’s previous best PBA50 major finishes were seventh in the 2017 Senior Masters and ninth in the 2017 Senior U.S. Open.
Kretzer, who qualified fifth for the finals after making a big move from 14th after Friday’s first match play round, started by winning the opening match against No. 4 qualifier five-time PBA Tour winner Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, N.Y., 208-196. He then went on to beat PBA Hall of Famers Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J., 243-193, and Brian Voss of Centennial, Colo., 257-196, on his way to the title match.
Kretzer, who owns one PBA Tour title, was trying for his first PBA50 Tour title. Bohn, a 35-time PBA Tour winner, was trying for his fifth PBA50 Tour title and Voss, a 25-time tour winner, was trying for his third and second of the season.
In danger of missing the cut to match play, PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber of St. Ann, Mo., who was trying to become the Senior U.S. Open’s first three-time winner rallied in the final two rounds of match play with an 11-1 match play record but fell just short of making the finals finishing sixth.
The PBA50 Tour will take a four-week break and return to action with the PBA50 River City Xtreme Open presented by Ebonite in Monticello, Minn., July 17-20.
SUNCOAST PBA SENIOR U.S. OPEN
Presented by Storm
Suncoast Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Friday
Final Standings:
1, Mika Koivuniemi, Finland, $10,000.
2, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, $6,000.
3, Brian Voss, Centennial, Colo., $5,000.
4, Parker Bohn, III, Jackson, N.J., $4,000.
5, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., $3,500.
Stepladder Results:
Match One – Kretzer def. Shafer, 208-196.
Match Two – Kretzer def. Bohn, 243-193.
Semifinal Match – Kretzer def. Voss, 257-196.
Championship Match – Koivuniemi def. Kretzer, 259-237.
SIXTH ROUND
(after 36 games. Includes match play record and total pinfall including bonus pins. Top five players advance to stepladder finals)
1, Mika Koivuniemi, Finland, 9-3, 8,206.
2, Brian Voss, Centennial, Colo., 7-5, 8,095.
3, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 8-3-1, 8,078.
4, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 5-6-1, 8,057.
5, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 8-4, 8,042.
6, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 11-1, 7,974, $3,000.
7, Allan Sennevall, Sweden, 9-3, 7,966, $2,800.
8, n-Steven Smith, San Diego, 8-4, 7,964, $2,600.
9, Eric Forkel, Henderson, Nev., 6-6, 7,959, $2,500.
10, Rolando Sebelen, Dominican Republic, 6-6, 7,944, $2,400.
11, Kimmo Lehtonen, Finland, 7-5, 7,926, $2,300.
12, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 7-5, 7,912, $2,200.
13, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 4-7-1, 7,894, $2,100.
14, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 5-7, 7,859, $2,050.
15, Andrew Frawley, Australia, 8-4, 7,842, $2,000.
16, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 4-8, 7,841, $1,950.
17, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 7-5, 7,832, $1,900.
18, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 4-8, 7,788, $1,850.
19, n-Steven Badovinac, Parker, Colo., 7-5, 7,778, $1,800.
20, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 8-4, 7,771, $1,750.
21, n-Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 4-8, 7,767, $1,700.
22, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 6-6, 7,755, $1,650.
23, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 6-6, 7,714, $1,600.
24, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 7-5, 7,705, $1,575.
25, Eddie Graham, Kettering, Ohio, 4-8, 7,698, $1,550.
26, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 6-6, 7,690, $1,525.
27, Rick Minier, Houston, 4-8, 7,675, $1,500.
28, Jeff Johnson, Freeport, Ill., 6-6, 7,625, $1,475.
29, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 6-6, 7,590, $1,450.
30, Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., 4-8, 7,579, $1,425.
31, (tie) Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 4-8, 7,567, and n-David Bolles, Stockton, Calif., 6-6, 7,567, $1,388.
33, n-Ben Hoefs, Mobile, Ala., 7-5, 7,558, $1,350.
34, Ricky Schissler, Brighton, Colo., 5-6-1, 7,550, $1,325.
35, Wayne Garber, Modesto, Calif., 7-5, 7,531, $1,300.
36, Mark Mazzulla, Brentwood, Calif., 5-7, 7,442, $1,290.
37, Jan Larsen, Sweden, 4-8, 7,421, $1,280.
38, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 2-10, 7,370, $1,270.
39, Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas, 3-9, 7,361, $1,260.
40, *Pat Nolan, Japan, 2-3-0, 7,348, $1,250.
41, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2-5-0, 6,490.
2, Brian Voss, Centennial, Colo., 7-5, 8,095.
3, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 8-3-1, 8,078.
4, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 5-6-1, 8,057.
5, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 8-4, 8,042.
6, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 11-1, 7,974, $3,000.
7, Allan Sennevall, Sweden, 9-3, 7,966, $2,800.
8, n-Steven Smith, San Diego, 8-4, 7,964, $2,600.
9, Eric Forkel, Henderson, Nev., 6-6, 7,959, $2,500.
10, Rolando Sebelen, Dominican Republic, 6-6, 7,944, $2,400.
11, Kimmo Lehtonen, Finland, 7-5, 7,926, $2,300.
12, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 7-5, 7,912, $2,200.
13, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 4-7-1, 7,894, $2,100.
14, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 5-7, 7,859, $2,050.
15, Andrew Frawley, Australia, 8-4, 7,842, $2,000.
16, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 4-8, 7,841, $1,950.
17, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 7-5, 7,832, $1,900.
18, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 4-8, 7,788, $1,850.
19, n-Steven Badovinac, Parker, Colo., 7-5, 7,778, $1,800.
20, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 8-4, 7,771, $1,750.
21, n-Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 4-8, 7,767, $1,700.
22, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 6-6, 7,755, $1,650.
23, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 6-6, 7,714, $1,600.
24, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 7-5, 7,705, $1,575.
25, Eddie Graham, Kettering, Ohio, 4-8, 7,698, $1,550.
26, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 6-6, 7,690, $1,525.
27, Rick Minier, Houston, 4-8, 7,675, $1,500.
28, Jeff Johnson, Freeport, Ill., 6-6, 7,625, $1,475.
29, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 6-6, 7,590, $1,450.
30, Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., 4-8, 7,579, $1,425.
31, (tie) Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 4-8, 7,567, and n-David Bolles, Stockton, Calif., 6-6, 7,567, $1,388.
33, n-Ben Hoefs, Mobile, Ala., 7-5, 7,558, $1,350.
34, Ricky Schissler, Brighton, Colo., 5-6-1, 7,550, $1,325.
35, Wayne Garber, Modesto, Calif., 7-5, 7,531, $1,300.
36, Mark Mazzulla, Brentwood, Calif., 5-7, 7,442, $1,290.
37, Jan Larsen, Sweden, 4-8, 7,421, $1,280.
38, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 2-10, 7,370, $1,270.
39, Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas, 3-9, 7,361, $1,260.
40, *Pat Nolan, Japan, 2-3-0, 7,348, $1,250.
41, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2-5-0, 6,490.
*Alternate Pat Nolan replaced Mike Edwards who withdrew in second game.
FIFTH ROUND
(after 30 games. Includes match play record and total pinfall including bonus pins. All players advance to sixth round)
1, Mika Koivuniemi, Finland, 5-1, 6,697.
2, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3-3, 6,691.
3, n-Steven Smith, San Diego, 5-1, 6,660.
4, Brian Voss, Centennial, Colo., 4-2, 6,655.
5, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 4-1-1, 6,630.
6, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 3-3, 6,615.
7, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 4-2, 6,592.
8, Allan Sennevall, Sweden, 5-1, 6,559.
9, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 3-3, 6,533.
10, Eric Forkel, Henderson, Nev., 3-3, 6,517.
11, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 3-3, 6,502.
12, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 2-4-0, 6,497.
13, Rolando Sebelen, Dominican Republic, 2-4, 6,491.
14, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3-3-0, 6,487.
15, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 3-3, 6,453.
16, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 4-2, 6,438.
17, Kimmo Lehtonen, Finland, 2-4, 6,426.
18, n-Steven Badovinac, Parker, Colo., 4-2, 6,421.
19, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 5-1, 6,418.
20, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 4-2, 6,389.
21, Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., 2-4, 6,369.
22, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2-4, 6,366.
23, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 3-3, 6,356.
24, Jeff Johnson, Freeport, Ill., 4-2, 6,342.
25, Rick Minier, Houston, 2-4, 6,340.
26, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 4-2, 6,335.
27, Eddie Graham, Kettering, Ohio, 2-4, 6,311.
28, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 3-3, 6,293.
29, Andrew Frawley, Australia, 3-3, 6,290.
30, (tie) Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 3-3, and n-Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 1-5, 6,287.
32, Wayne Garber, Modesto, Calif., 4-2, 6,286.
33, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1-5, 6,285.
34, n-David Bolles, Stockton, Calif., 3-3, 6,258.
35, Ricky Schissler, Brighton, Colo., 3-2-1, 6,243.
36, n-Ben Hoefs, Mobile, Ala., 3-3, 6,237.
37, Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas, 2-4, 6,181.
38, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 1-5, 6,178.
39, Jan Larsen, Sweden, 1-5, 6,150.
40, Mark Mazzulla, Brentwood, Calif., 1-5, 6,126.
2, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3-3, 6,691.
3, n-Steven Smith, San Diego, 5-1, 6,660.
4, Brian Voss, Centennial, Colo., 4-2, 6,655.
5, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 4-1-1, 6,630.
6, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 3-3, 6,615.
7, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 4-2, 6,592.
8, Allan Sennevall, Sweden, 5-1, 6,559.
9, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 3-3, 6,533.
10, Eric Forkel, Henderson, Nev., 3-3, 6,517.
11, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 3-3, 6,502.
12, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 2-4-0, 6,497.
13, Rolando Sebelen, Dominican Republic, 2-4, 6,491.
14, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3-3-0, 6,487.
15, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 3-3, 6,453.
16, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 4-2, 6,438.
17, Kimmo Lehtonen, Finland, 2-4, 6,426.
18, n-Steven Badovinac, Parker, Colo., 4-2, 6,421.
19, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 5-1, 6,418.
20, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 4-2, 6,389.
21, Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., 2-4, 6,369.
22, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2-4, 6,366.
23, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 3-3, 6,356.
24, Jeff Johnson, Freeport, Ill., 4-2, 6,342.
25, Rick Minier, Houston, 2-4, 6,340.
26, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 4-2, 6,335.
27, Eddie Graham, Kettering, Ohio, 2-4, 6,311.
28, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 3-3, 6,293.
29, Andrew Frawley, Australia, 3-3, 6,290.
30, (tie) Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 3-3, and n-Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 1-5, 6,287.
32, Wayne Garber, Modesto, Calif., 4-2, 6,286.
33, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1-5, 6,285.
34, n-David Bolles, Stockton, Calif., 3-3, 6,258.
35, Ricky Schissler, Brighton, Colo., 3-2-1, 6,243.
36, n-Ben Hoefs, Mobile, Ala., 3-3, 6,237.
37, Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas, 2-4, 6,181.
38, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 1-5, 6,178.
39, Jan Larsen, Sweden, 1-5, 6,150.
40, Mark Mazzulla, Brentwood, Calif., 1-5, 6,126.
n-Non-member
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